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What kind of outdoor bedding supports a good night's sleep while camping?

Many of you may have had trouble falling asleep while camping, waking up in the middle of the night, or feeling sore when you woke up.

In fact, if you choose outdoor bedding that matches the temperature and camping style, you can sleep soundly while camping. Therefore, this time we will introduce in detail how to choose outdoor bedding for a good night's sleep while camping.

If you want to get a good night's sleep while camping and wake up refreshed in the morning, please refer to this article. When camping for the first time, it is often difficult to fall asleep due to nervousness, but if your sleep does not improve even after camping several times, there must be a cause.

The main things that disturb your sleep while camping are the feeling of hitting the bottom and the heat/cold. From here, I will explain how to deal with the feeling of hitting the bottom and dealing with heat and cold.

Measures against the feeling of hitting the bottom

``Bottoming out'' is a condition where when you lie down, you feel the hardness of the ground in parts of your body such as your shoulders, back, and hips. When you feel like you've hit the bottom, the area you're hitting feels pressured and painful, and poor blood flow can cause your body to flop when you wake up.

To eliminate the feeling of bottoming out, it is effective to use bedding with high cushioning properties.

Measures against heat and cold

During hot weather, the tent traps heat and makes it difficult to sleep. On the other hand, during the cold season, the cold is transmitted through the ground. To combat the heat, it's a good idea to use bedding with good ventilation or bedding that feels cool to the touch.

On the other hand, it is effective to use bedding that blocks the cold from the ground.

Types and how to choose bedding for camping

The main types of bedding used outdoors are ``cots,'' ``sleeping bags,'' and ``mats.'' When camping, I use three items in combination to suit my style and temperature.

If you are car camping with a small group of people who can carry a lot of luggage, it would be a good idea to lay out a mat on top of the cot and also use a sleeping bag to create the ultimate bed. Also, in family camping, many families sleep in a river shape using sleeping bags on top of mats arranged for each person.

From here, we will introduce the characteristics of each item and how to choose them in detail.

Type ① Cot

A cot is a simple bed for outdoor use. Cot has the following advantages:

• Can relieve the feeling of bottoming out
• Good ventilation and cool in summer
• It is difficult for the cold of the ground to be transmitted, making it warm in winter
• During the day, it can be used as a bench or luggage storage area.

When choosing a cot, keep in mind four points: assembly method, height, usage size, storage size, and weight.

How to assemble

There are two types of cot assembly methods: "convergence type" and "assembly type". The converging type is a cot that can be used immediately by simply unfolding it.

It is easy to assemble, but the storage size and weight are large. The assembly type is a cot that is used by assembling separate parts. It is attractive because of its small storage size and light weight.

height

Cots are classified by height into "high cot," "low cot," and "2WAY" cot. Choose the type that suits your camping style. The appeal of high cots is that they can be used as benches and that they do not absorb the coldness of the ground.

On the other hand, low cots are attractive because they are portable and can be used even in small tents. The 2WAY cot is a cot that can be used at two different heights, combining the best features of high and low cots.

Usage size

The length and width of cots when used vary depending on the product. Choose a cot that is the right size to use according to the tent size and the physique of the person using it.

Storage size/weight

If you want to prioritize portability, it is important to check the weight and storage size. If you are looking for lightness, we recommend one with an aluminum frame. Also, the assembly type, in which the parts come apart, is lighter than the convergent type. It can also be said that low cot is lighter than high cot. If you're looking for a cot that can be stored compactly, we recommend a cot that can also be assembled. Similarly, low cots can be stored more compactly than high cots.

Type ②Sleeping bag (sleeping bag)

Sleeping bags can be divided into three types: mummy type, envelope type, and egg type. Learn about the characteristics of each type and choose your favorite type.

- Mummy type

"Mummy" is a word that refers to a mummy, and a mummy-shaped sleeping bag is shaped like a humanoid mummy. The advantage is that the fabric fits your body and also wraps around your head, so it retains heat well. Another advantage is that there is less wasted fabric and it can be stored compactly.

-Envelope type

As the name suggests, the "envelope type" is a rectangular sleeping bag shaped like an envelope. The comfortable, relaxing feel is appealing. However, because it doesn't fit your body well, it's less heat-retaining than the mummy type. You can also use it like a futon by fully opening the zipper. There are also products for multiple people, so a parent and child can use one sleeping bag.

-Egg-shaped

An egg-shaped sleeping bag. This is a hybrid sleeping bag that combines the benefits of a mummy type and an envelope type. It has a slightly fitted shape around the head and legs, and has better heat retention than the envelope type. However, it is more spacious than the mummy type, making it easier to move around and relax.

Also check the comfortable operating temperature and limit operating temperature!

When choosing a sleeping bag, you should also check the product's ``comfortable operating temperature'' and ``limit operating temperature.''

Comfortable operating temperature

"Comfortable operating temperature" refers to the temperature limit at which you can sleep comfortably and warmly. For example, a sleeping bag with a comfortable operating temperature of 5°C will allow you to sleep comfortably without feeling cold if the temperature is above 5°C.

Limit operating temperature

The ``limit operating temperature'' refers to the temperature at which you can sleep by curling up in a ball, even though you feel cold. For example, a sleeping bag with a maximum operating temperature of 5°C will allow you to sleep even if you feel cold if the temperature is 5°C or higher.

Type ③ Mat

A mat is bedding that acts as a mattress. By using a mat, you can prevent the feeling of hitting the bottom and getting cold.

Select by type

Mats are divided into four types: air mats, inflatable mats, closed cell mats, and silver mats. We will introduce the characteristics of each type.

air mat

An ``air mat'' that uses an electric foot pump to inflate air. This eliminates the feeling of hitting the bottom, but the fluffy sleeping experience lacks stability. Also, if a hole is made during sleep, air may escape and the bag may deflate completely. Prices are relatively reasonable.

inflatable mat

"Inflatable mat" with built-in urethane. When you open the valve, it will automatically inflate due to the restoring power of the urethane. It has high cushioning properties and offers a stable and comfortable sleeping experience. It has a large storage size and is heavier than other mats. Prices tend to be more expensive than other types.

closed cell mat

A "closed cell mat" is made by connecting a number of long, thin urethane foam parts. Just unfold it and it's ready to use. It is extremely light and compact, making it suitable for camping on foot or sleeping in a tent while climbing.

The disadvantage is that it's not very thick, so it feels like it's bottoming out. The price range is wide ranging from cheap to expensive. Silver mat The old-fashioned "silver mat". The most attractive feature is the reasonable price. If you put the silver side down, you can cut the cold from the ground. Since it is not thick, the feeling of bottoming out will not be alleviated very much.

Also check the R value!

Mats have an "R value" that indicates their insulation performance. The higher the number, the better the insulation performance. If you plan on camping in the winter, we recommend mats with an R value of 4 or higher.

How to choose bedding for camping

When choosing outdoor bedding, there are three points that are common to all items.

How to choose ① Choose bedding that matches the season

Outdoors, where the temperature directly affects your sleep. It is important to choose bedding according to the season. Check the ``comfortable operating temperature'' and ``minimum operating temperature'' of sleeping bags, and the ``R value'' of mats, and choose a product that matches the temperature in which you will use it. A high cot has better breathability in the summer, and is less likely to transmit the cold from the ground in the winter.

How to choose ② Compact storage makes it easy to carry

When camping on foot or touring, the storage size of bedding is also important. Choosing a product that can be stored as compactly as possible will make it easier to carry. Also, even when car camping, if the luggage space of your car is small, you won't be able to carry enough luggage.

For family camping where you need bedding for each person, bedding that can be stored compactly is recommended. Low cots are attractive because they are lightweight and can be stored compactly and are portable. However, for those who don't want to give up on the comfort of a high cot, we recommend the UT cot (link), a 2-way cot that can be used at either height.

How to choose ③ It is also important to check the material that affects sleeping comfort

The material of bedding can be a surprising concern, such as making the mat slippery and making it difficult to sleep. If you're concerned about getting a good night's sleep, choose bedding made of the most comfortable material possible. For example, if you are looking for a matte material, we recommend a smooth suede-like material rather than a smooth material. Also, if you are using a cot for summer camping, it would be a good idea to choose a sheet with a mesh material to eliminate the discomfort of sleeping.

TOKYO CRAFTS outdoor bedding

TOKYO CRAFTS also has a lineup of outdoor bedding that is extremely comfortable.

UT cot

" UT Cot " is a 2-way cot whose height can be changed to high or low. You can use the low cot for solo tents with low ceilings, or use the high cot for group camping as a bench, depending on your camping style.

We paid special attention to the tension of the fabric, which makes it comfortable to sleep on! By repeatedly adjusting the fabric selection, fabric thickness, and cot width, we were able to create the ultimate in sleeping comfort. The color is a chic gray. Perfect for a cool, urban tent site.

UT cotton mesh (for summer)

UT Cot Mesh retains the excellent functionality of UT Cot, but uses mesh material for the summer seat. Made of highly breathable mesh material, you can sleep comfortably even in the sweaty summer months.

▶If you want to know more about the benefits of cots, check out this article!

Choose the bedding that suits you and improves your sleep quality!

To improve the quality of your sleep outdoors, it is important to choose bedding that matches your climate and camping style.

While keeping in mind the points we have introduced this time, choose the outdoor bedding that is perfect for you and create a comfortable sleeping environment. Get a good night's sleep on a comfortable bed, and enjoy your activities in the best conditions early in the morning the next day.